The state-owned utility, which
is based in Berkeley County, said they believe what is being proposed by Goose
Creek is illegal.

They said a similar 2004
annexation case involving SCE&G vs. the Town of Awendaw shows the
illegality.

“There is actually case law that states that any annexation to a current or new municipality cannot oust or evict a current utility,” said Nicole Aiello, Director of Public Relations for Santee Cooper. “So, by case law, we believe it’s unlawful.”

Goose Creek City Council approved
a referendum Tuesday night that will be on the ballot December 3rd. It will ask
voters if they want to begin operating an electric utility to serve Century
Aluminum and to approve annexation of the 5,000 acres of Century property.

Century’s contract with Santee
Cooper ends at the end of 2020.

However, Santee Cooper said
they have rights by statute to serve that account and are not dependent on the
contract. They say another issue is Goose Creek does not own the substation and
transmission lines at the property.

“Right now, the city doesn’t own
any facilities. Those are all Santee Cooper facilities and, you know, they just
have to figure out how to serve without having any facilities or any lines,” said
Aiello.

Santee Cooper officials are now
investigating what steps they may take in the future.